Live NFL Mock Draft 2024: Updated projections, rumors point to Vikings trade-up for J.J. McCarthy, JC Latham rise

The 2024 NFL Draft is finally here, and football fans will finally have their questions about one of the most unpredictable drafts in recent memory answered.

At this point, Caleb Williams is all but locked in as the No. 1 overall pick for the Bears. Jayden Daniels is highly likely to be the No. 2 overall pick to the Commanders.

But the Patriots at No. 3? That’s where things get interesting. They will likely take a quarterback, but will it be Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy? The race between the two passers remains close entering draft day.

NFL DRAFT RANKINGS: QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | EDGE

Will another team trade up to No. 4 or 5 overall to take the quarterback the Patriots pass on? The Vikings, Broncos, Raiders, and Giants have all expressed an interest in adding quarterback talent, so they could jump up if the Cardinals or Chargers (or both) are willing to move down.

There are plenty more questions about which receiver will go first — the race between Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers is closer than most realize — while the draft range of quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix remains volatile. They could both go in the top 15 selections or each could fall out of the first round entirely in a Will Levis-like slide.

Either way, there is still a lot to sort out about the 2024 NFL Draft, and there’s very little time left to sift through the noise. How will the 2024 draft shake out? Here’s a look at one of The Sporting News’ final mock drafts, which will be updated throughout the day with all the latest rumors and draft buzz.

Stay tuned for all the latest news and pick changes, which will be finalized before the draft begins at 8 p.m. ET, below.

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Live NFL Mock Draft 2024

Last updated: Thursday at 6:30 p.m. ET.

1. Chicago Bears

Caleb Williams, QB, USC

The first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft is set in stone. Williams will go No. 1 overall after three strong seasons at USC and the Bears hope that he can become the team’s first true, franchise quarterback in decades.

Williams has drawn comparisons to Patrick Mahomes ahead of the draft and has the arm talent needed to be one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks. It will be on Bears coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron to get the most out of him in 2024 and beyond.

BENDER: The legendary high school game that launched Caleb Williams’ career

2. Washington Commanders

Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

Williams was the consensus No. 1 pick throughout the 2024 draft cycle, so the event begins in earnest with Washington’s pick at No. 2 overall. It’s increasingly looking like the team will select Daniels, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner who totaled just under 5,000 total yards and 50 touchdowns during his final year at LSU.

Daniels has loads of experience, as he was a five-year college starter at Arizona State and LSU. He’s a great fit for Kliff Kingsbury’s offense and will provide Commanders fans with an electric, exciting playmaker to watch at the quarterback position.

MORE: Why Jayden Daniels is drawing Lamar Jackson, RG3 comparisons before NFL Draft

3. New England Patriots

Drake Maye, QB, UNC

The Patriots have postured that they may trade down from No. 3 overall, but Robert Kraft’s insistence that the team find a young quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft makes that possibility seem unlikely. They will probably stay put and take either Maye or McCarthy here.

The race between the two prospects may be close, but the UNC product should have the advantage. Both quarterbacks are young and somewhat raw, but Maye has the tools needed to be a Justin Herbert-like playmaker at the NFL level. McCarthy compares more to a Jim Harbaugh or Alex Smith type, so the Patriots may want to swing for the fences with Maye despite the fact that his floor is likely lower than McCarthy’s.

MORE: How Drake Maye compares to Justin Herbert, Sam Howell as NFL prospect

4. Minnesota Vikings (via trade)

J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

Yes, we are projecting a trade in this mock. Why? Because it seems likely that the Cardinals are going to trade the No. 4 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft — it’s just a matter of when they might do it.

The Vikings are among the teams desperate to land a top quarterback and have two first-round picks — Nos. 11 and 23 respectively — which should allow them to orchestrate a trade-up. They might prefer to land Drake Maye, but he’s off the board here. McCarthy is a solid consolation prize, as his combination of arm talent and mobility should make him a nice fit in Kevin O’Connell’s offense.

2024 NFL DRAFT TOP 10 LISTS: QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | EDGE

5. Los Angeles Chargers

JC Latham, OT, Alabama

OK, here’s where things get a little weird. The Chargers seem to want an offensive tackle and they could take Joe Alt at No. 5, they are increasingly being connected to J.C. Latham ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Latham is a monster tackle at 6-6, 342 pounds, and he’s a natural fit on the right side of the offensive line. He would be a great bookend with Rashawn Slater and projects as a plug-and-play upgrade over Trey Pipkins for the Chargers.

The Chargers may prefer Alt, but it’s worth noting that NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah — who worked with Chargers GM Joe Hortiz with the Ravens in the early 2000s — mocked Latham to Los Angeles at No. 5. Perhaps the Chargers will try to trade down and try to get Latham, but if they can’t, the Alabama product may still be their pick at No. 5.

6. New York Giants

Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

The Giants may want a quarterback, but they get lucky in this situation. Harrison is considered by many to be the best non-quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft yet New York didn’t even have to trade up for him.

Harrison dominated at Ohio State and posted 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns in each of his past two seasons at the school. He remained productive even after the switch from C.J. Stroud to Kyle McCord, so he figures to be a steady, consistent producer in the NFL.

SCOUTING REPORTS: Marvin Harrison Jr. | Malik Nabers | Rome Odunze

7. Tennessee Titans

Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

The Titans need to add help on the offensive line to protect Will Levis. Nick Petit-Frere is better served as the team’s right tackle, so Tennessee should look to add a player capable of playing on the left side with the seventh pick.

Alt (6-9, 321 pounds) is a massive blocker and a safe bet to be a productive blindside blocker in the NFL. He started 33 games at left tackle for the Fighting Irish, so he comes with the requisite experience needed to be a plug-and-play starter for the team that selects him.

8. Atlanta Falcons

Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

Dallas Turner was penciled in as the pick here for a long time, but Latu seems to have overtaken him on the eve of the 2024 NFL Draft. The UCLA product’s medical checks have reportedly come back clean, so Atlanta may feel comfortable taking him with that news in tow.

Latu briefly retired due to a neck injury sustained at Washington but eventually returned to the field at UCLA. The results? He had 23.5 sacks during his two seasons with the Bruins. The 6-5, 259-pound edge rusher has the size, athleticism, and movement skills needed to become a double-digit sack artist in the NFL.

9. Arizona Cardinals (via trade)

Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

We’re projecting a second trade here as the Cardinals, despite moving down from No. 4, may be interested in moving back up for a blue-chip prospect. Remember, the Cardinals moved down and then up for Paris Johnson Jr. last year, so seeing Monti Ossenfort execute “The Monti Maneuver” again wouldn’t be too surprising.

Many have connected the Cardinals to Harrison Jr., but they may be among the teams that prefer Nabers. That could explain why they seem willing to move down from the No. 4 overall selection. The LSU product has great athleticism and would give Kyler Murray a true No. 1 receiver.

10. New York Jets

Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

The Jets will probably go offense-heavy in this draft as they load up to support Aaron Rodgers in his first season back from a torn Achilles. Odunze and Brock Bowers are both strong options here, but Odunze may be the better fit for the Jets, who need a long-term complement to Garrett Wilson.

Odunze was a consistent, productive pass-catcher at Washington, totaling 92 catches, 1,640 yards, and 13 touchdowns during his final season with the Huskies.

11. Chicago Bears (via trade)

Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas

The Bears could go in any direction with this pick after trading down, and they could even trade down again considering their lack of draft assets aside from their two first-round picks. The Colts might be interested in moving up to get Brock Bowers here, so that’s something to watch if the Bears end up picking 11th.

If not, Chicago could look at Murphy, who would be a great interior pass-rush threat to complement dominant edge rusher Montez Sweat. Murphy is on the smaller side at 6-0, 297 pounds, but he has great athleticism, strength, and a first step that could make him one of the NFL’s next great interior pass rushers

12. Denver Broncos

Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

The 12th pick could be the turning point in the 2024 NFL Draft. If the Broncos don’t trade up for J.J. McCarthy, they will face a difficult choice. Do they take Bo Nix, who they reportedly like, trade down, or take whichever top player falls to them?

The Broncos should probably take the best player available, but they may have trouble passing on Nix given that Jarrett Stidham, Zach Wilson and Ben DiNucci are the only quarterbacks currently on their roster. Nix is a great system fit for Sean Payton too, having drawn Drew Brees comparisons, so that may compel the Broncos brain trust to go get him and fortify the team’s quarterback room.

SCOUTING REPORTS: J.J. McCarthy | Bo Nix | Michael Penix Jr.

13. Las Vegas Raiders

Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington

The Raiders seem to love Michael Penix, but will they take him at 13? It’s not guaranteed, as Las Vegas could try to get him late in the first round via a trade up. Still, the Raiders may not want to risk passing on him and seeing another team land him, so they could grab him here.

Penix has a quality arm and starred during his final two seasons at Washington, leading the Huskies to a national championship appearance. He throws one of the best deep balls among the 2024 quarterback prospects and could develop into a top-tier starter. He needs to improve his ability to play under pressure and his consistency, but if he can play like he did against Texas in the College Football Playoff semifinal, he could be a star.

That makes Penix worth a shot for the Raiders, a team for whom he would be an excellent scheme fit.

14. New Orleans Saints

Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State

The Saints have a big need on the offensive line with 2022 first-round pick Trevor Penning struggling through two seasons and right tackle Ryan Ramczyk’s future in question due to an injury. New Orleans will be positioned to land a top tackle here, and none have better potential than Fashanu.

Fashanu (6-6, 311 pounds) is still developing as a player but has all the tools and athleticism needed to thrive as a blindside blocker. His presence would either give the Saints a replacement for Penning or allow them to move Penning to right tackle to replace Ramczyk. Fashanu also may be able to play the right side if New Orleans desired to put him on that side fo the line.

15. Indianapolis Colts

Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

The Colts could trade up to No. 11 or No. 12 for Brock Bowers but he may end up slipping here, as the rise of Nix and Penix could push some quality players down the board.

Bowers was a matchup nightmare in college, using his unique combination of speed and strength to outrun and outmuscle his competition. He had at least 714 receiving yards and five touchdowns in each of his three seasons at Georgia, so the George Kittle-like player should remain productive as he transitions to the NFL.

16. Seattle Seahawks

Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

It’s always difficult to figure out what the Seahawks are going to do in any given draft. Last year, most presumed they would take Jalen Carter with the No. 5 overall pick. Instead, they took Devon Witherspoon.

But at 16, the Seahawks might have trouble passing on Fuaga. The 6-6, 324-pound lineman is viewed as one of the safest players in the 2024 NFL Draft. He’s a tough blocker with great movement skills who should thrive in pass protection. He’s a favorite of offensive line coaches and has the versatility needed to play tackle or guard in the NFL.

The Seahawks lost Damien Lewis in free agency and don’t have a proven right guard on the roster. Fuaga could pair with veteran Laken Tomlinson as an interior starter or play right tackle with 2022 third-round pick Abraham Lucas kicking inside to guard. Troy Fautanu could also draw consideration here, but concerns about his knee make Fuaga the safer pick.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars

Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

The Jaguars are searching for a starter across from Tyson Campbell, and Arnold, an instinctive cornerback who had five interceptions during his final year at Alabama, should fit well in Jacksonville.

Quinyon Mitchell could also be an option for the Jaguars here, but Arnold’s experience in the SEC makes him a safer choice than Mitchell, who may need time to develop after playing in the MAC. Either could work out for the Jaguars, however.

18. Cincinnati Bengals

Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

The Bengals added Trent Brown during the offseason in the hopes of fixing their long-term issues at right tackle, but the 31-year-old is on just a one-year contract. As such, Cincinnati needs to find a potential successor to Brown who can learn under him for a year and then take over as a starter.

Mims (6-8, 340 pounds) is a former five-star recruit who started 21 games at right tackle during his three seasons at Georgia. He’s young and has the requisite length needed to become a strong starting tackle at the NFL level.

MORE NFL DRAFT: Worst regrets | Biggest busts | Biggest steals

19. Los Angeles Rams

Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

Turner seemed like a top-10 lock for most of the draft process, but he could slip down the board a bit now.

What gives? Laiatu Latu’s rise has displaced Turner in the No. 8 spot of most mocks while other teams seem to be gravitating more toward offensive prospects and cornerbacks. That’s not to say that Turner won’t be a top-15 pick, but he could go a bit lower than most are anticipating.

The Rams would be thrilled to get Turner here. They need to replace Aaron Donald’s production, and while Turner isn’t a like-for-like swap, he racked up 10 sacks last season playing in the SEC. He would instantly be the top edge player on Los Angeles’ roster, so that makes him a great value pick for the Rams.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers

Graham Barton, OL, Duke

The Steelers have slowly but surely tried to improve their offensive line, but the addition of Mason Cole at center didn’t pan out. The team parted with him this offseason and needs to replace him to give Russell Wilson and Justin Fields a fighting chance against interior pressure.

Barton (6-5, 313 pounds) played tackle at Duke but has the versatility to play any position up front. His athleticism and strength should play well at center, and that combination makes him one of the safer options for the Steelers.

21. Miami Dolphins

Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois

The Dolphins lost two of their most important pass rushers this offseason, as Christian Wilkins signed with the Raiders and Andrew Van Ginkel landed with the Vikings. Newton would help replace the former as an interior disruptor for Miami’s defensive line.

Newton had 7.5 sacks during his senior season at Illinois and was a consistently productive player for the Fighting Illini. He’s a bit small for a defensive tackle at 6-2, 304 pounds, but he packs good strength on his frame. He’ll just need to avoid being washed away in the running game to become a solid, three-down nuisance at the NFL level.

22. Philadelphia Eagles

Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

Howie Roseman could consider drafting an offensive tackle in a loaded class, but the Eagles have been tied to Mitchell a lot during the pre-draft process. If he is on the board at 22 or Philadelphia is within striking distance of him, they could move up to select him.

Mitchell clocked a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the 2024 NFL Combine and looked excellent in the on-field drills. This came after he logged 37 pass defenses and six interceptions over his final two seasons at Toledo. He might be raw, but he could be a star if he reaches his potential. Philly’s new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio can help make that happen.

Don’t rule out the Eagles trading up for a player — perhaps even Mitchell — either. The Bears could be a nice trade-down candidate given their lack of draft capital, so if Chicago wants to go way down the board, the Eagles may be willing to pay to climb toward the top 10.

23. Arizona Cardinals (via trade)

Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona

The Cardinals won’t have to surrender a first-round pick in their trade-up from No. 11 to No. 9 in this mock. They will likely give the Bears a Day 2 asset instead, giving Arizona three first-round picks if the Vikings trade them the 23rd pick as part of the package to move up to No. 4.

Arizona has needs all over its roster, but it might be happy to land a top offensive line prospect in a loaded class. Morgan is an athletic 6-5, 311-pound tackle who could compete for playing time at guard with the potential to kick outside to left tackle if Jonah Williams — signed to a two-year deal this offseason — struggles.

Morgan isn’t the strongest player, but he could thrive as a pulling guard until the Cardinals are ready to kick him outside.

24. Dallas Cowboys

Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington

The Cowboys lost offensive tackle Tyron Smith and center Tyler Biadasz in free agency. Dak Prescott’s success in Dallas has largely come behind strong offensive lines, so the Cowboys should be focused on finding a solid replacement for one of their starters.

Fautanu has medical concerns about one of his knees, but his character, effort and gritty style of play should stop his slide with the Cowboys at the latest. He could challenge Tyler Smith for the team’s left tackle job or be a terrific starting guard for the squad. Adding him would give the team versatility and upside on that left side of the line.

MORE 2024 NFL DRAFT: Safest picks | Riskiest picks | Top sleepers | Small-school steals

25. Green Bay Packers

Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

The Packers probably want to add to their defense, and DeJean has the versatility needed to help replace Rasul Douglas, who Green Bay traded before the trade deadline last season. The athletic, Iowa product can play outside, in the slot and maybe even at safety, so he’s a safe bet to find success in a Packers secondary that needs young talent behind Jaire Alexander.

The Packers could also consider drafting an offensive tackle like Tyler Guyton, but it will be hard for them to pass on DeJean here.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State

Turner’s slip could have a domino effect on the other edge rushers in the 2024 NFL Draft. Verse is a productive pass rusher who had 18 sacks over his two seasons at Florida State, but he could slip to this juncture in a loaded offensive draft class.

The Buccaneers need to replace Shaquil Barrett after releasing him during the offseason. Verse’s high motor and steady production make him an ideal fit to serve as Tampa Bay’s new top pass rusher.

27. Arizona Cardinals

Darius Robinson, EDGE, Missouri

Darius Robinson over Chop Robinson? Don’t be too surprised if it happens. While Chop has the higher ceiling, Darius has his fans among NFL talent evaluators, and a team like the Cardinals could pounce on him in this draft range.

Robinson had 8.5 sacks as a senior at Missouri and has the versatility needed to play anywhere on the defensive line. Arizona has little to write home about on the defensive line, so helping its abysmal front-seven help with this selection seems like the best option for the Cardinals.

28. Buffalo Bills

Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

The Bills might be willing to trade up for Brian Thomas Jr., but he fell to their pick at 28 in this iteration of the mock. The 6-4 LSU product ran a 4.33 40 at the NFL Combine and has the traits needed to be a dynamic receiving weapon. He would be an ideal replacement for Stefon Diggs and would give Buffalo a high-upside receiver to pair with Josh Allen.

If Thomas isn’t on the board at this point, the Bills might target Texas speedster Xavier Worthy instead. Worthy is small at 5-11, 160 pounds, but he ran the fastest 40-yard dash in NFL Combine history at 4.21 seconds and was very productive during his time with the Longhorns.

MORE: Grading the Stefon Diggs trade for the Texans, Bills

29. Detroit Lions

Jackson Powers-Johnson, G/C, Oregon

Many believe the Lions could target a cornerback with this pick, but adding interior offensive line help will draw consideration. Kevin Zeitler was signed to replace Jonah Jackson, but the former Ravens is a 34-year-old on a one-year contract. The Lions may want to find an eventual successor for him while also obtaining injury protection for center Frank Ragnow.

Powers-Johnson would be a plug-and-play option with a high floor and plenty of experience from his time at Oregon.

The Lions acquired Carlton Davis from the Buccaneers this offseason but they had to cut Cam Sutton after he was accused of domestic violence. That leaves them in need of another outside cornerback to challenge Amik Robertson for playing time.

30. Baltimore Ravens

Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

The Ravens always seem to land a sliding talent, and this mock is no different. Chop Robinson, Nate Wiggins and Tyler Guyton are all available, but Guyton seems like the best value of the bunch.

Guyton (6-8, 322 pounds) performed well at Oklahoma and has the traits needed to continue improving in the NFL. The Ravens had success developing a similarly huge tackle from Oklahoma, Orlando Brown Jr., so drafting Guyton to compete for the team’s right tackle job with Daniel Faalele seems like a strong move.

31. San Francisco 49ers

Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

The 49ers could go with an offensive lineman here, but McKinstry’s availability makes him the top option with this selection. San Francisco needs an athletic complement to Charvarius Ward, and the Alabama product suffices.

McKinstry was a steady, solid cornerback from the Crimson Tide who never quite lived up to his lofty potential but racked up 22 pass defenses over his last two NFL seasons. He has just one career interception, but his size (6-1) and athletic skills should allow him to be an effective cover man in the NFL.

32. Kansas City Chiefs

Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU

The Chiefs are another team that could consider a tackle at 32, as they could stand to upgrade Donovan Smith on the left side of the line. Suamataia is raw but has a 6-5, 326-pound frame that will give him a chance to develop into a top-tier tackle.

Andy Reid loves addressing the trenches and went to BYU, so this pick seems like a perfect fit on many levels.